Coronavirus-derived T-cell epitopes presented by human MHC molecules (CoV pMHC)

Coronavirus-derived T-cell epitopes presented by human MHC molecules are the specific peptide-protein complexes that signal the presence of a viral infection to the adaptive immune system. These epitopes are short amino acid sequences derived from the proteolysis of coronavirus proteins, such as the Spike, Nucleocapsid, and Membrane proteins, which are then loaded onto Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules—also known as Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) in humans (Grifoni et al., 2020, Cell). MHC Class I molecules typically present these epitopes to CD8+ cytotoxic T cells to trigger the destruction of infected cells, while MHC Class II molecules present them to CD4+ helper T cells to coordinate the broader immune response (Saini et al., 2021, Science Immunology). In therapeutic development, these complexes are the primary targets for vaccines, which aim to prime the T-cell repertoire to recognize these viral signatures upon natural infection (Sahin et al., 2020, Nature). A significant challenge in targeting these epitopes is the extreme diversity of HLA alleles across the human population, which dictates which specific peptides can be presented and recognized (Nethery et al., 2021, Frontiers in Immunology). Additionally, the emergence of viral variants with mutations in these epitope regions can lead to immune evasion, necessitating the identification of conserved epitopes for universal vaccine strategies. Monitoring the T-cell response to these epitopes is a key biomarker for assessing vaccine efficacy and long-term immunity (Dan et al., 2021, Science).

Other names

SARS-CoV-2 T-cell epitopesCoronavirus peptide-MHC complexesHLA-presented coronavirus antigensMHC-restricted coronavirus peptides

T-cell receptor (TCR) recognition of peptide-MHC complexes leading to cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activation and cytokine production.